Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-02

AIRED for US had rescued US When l saw
aim running along the planks, 1t was 70 ms
ooat chained at the end.
That summer my father removed with his
family to the Pacific coast. He was Obliged
% wait some time for my recovery, but at
asst / was able to travel, and left without
again seeing the little girl whom bad led
INTO danger / only heard that had been
blamed by every one.
Ten years passed, during which was con-
SANITY haunted by one idea: that was to 60
back to New England, find Julia and impore
her forgiveness The years that must be
boy and dependent seemed interminable. At
last came Of age and received a small for
tune that had fallen to me, and as soon as
the papers in the case were duly signed and
sealed started east
It was just abou: the same time OF the year
and the same hour of the afternoon as when
first saw Julia that I walked into the old
school grounds. had fully intended to 60
in next door and call for her, but my courage
failed me- l had heard nothing of her for
wears. Was she deada Was she livingl
Was she in her old home, or far awaya
These thoughts chased each other through
my mind and dreaded to know.
was standing at the school entrance with
ny hand on the bell when l heard door in
he next house open, and then shut. From
hat moment could feel that Julia was near
ne. She came out Of the house, slender,
graceful girl of 10, and picking up croquet
nallet commenced to knock the balls about.
approached the fence. / wanted to make
myself known, but dreaded the horror with
which she would regard me when she knew
who / was.
II beg pardon" I said raising my hat, "can
'ou tell me if DR.. Towards school is still
hereT pointing to the house.
"Dr. Howard moved some years ago." she
said, regarding me with the old honest gaze.
Il was one Of his boys"
"1ndeedp she said, but without any further
encouragement for me to go on.
~ see the wood has not been cut away ]
,dded, glancing toward it.
"No," she said, at does not seem to be-
"Were you ever there 2" "Oh, yes, often"
81 believe it is"
It me curiously.
"Once," she said, "when I was a child,
net with an accident there"
"How was that?"
II went to the dam with boy, one OF the
scholars, and we walked out to where the
water was flowing over, and fell in"
"The boy over persuaded you, suppose?'
1t was difficult for me to conceal a certain
reputation at the mention of my fault.
mo, went Of my own accord"
Ny heart almost stopped beating.
she must certainly have been to blame" /
aid. ale was older and stronger than you. "
l noticed a slight rising irritation. "On
he contrary" she said, "he jumped after me
ike noble boy, as he was"
was obliged to turn away. could not
crust myself to look into her face
"At any rate he must have begged your
forgiveness on his Bonded knees for permit
ing you to go into such danger"
II never saw him again; he went away"
fancied, at least hoped, I could detect a
5inge of sadness in her voice.
81 have often wished, she went on, shat he
would come back as the other scholars some
times do, as you are now, and let me tell him
now much thank him for his noble effort"
"Julia," l said, suddenly turning and fac
ing her. this is too much. I am that boy.
led you into the wood. forced you to go
out on the dam with me. Ipermtted you to
fall in"
"And more than atoned for all by risking
your life to save mel"
Ah, that look of surprised delight which
accompanied her words! 1t was worth all
my past years of suffering, of fancied blame;
Tor in it read how dearly she held the
memory of the boy who had at least shared
the danger for which he was responsible.
do not remember if she grasped my hand
or l grasped hers. At any rate wa stood
hand in hand looking into each others faces.
l blessed the Providence that ended nv
l blessed the good fortune that
had led me to knowledge of the kindly
leart beside me. OF all the moments of nv
life still count it far the happiest.
***
We did not part after that for another ten
years. Then she left me to go whence can
'ever recall her. Yet there is trysting place
in the woods through which we once passed
IS children, and often afterwards as lovers
There watch the fecked sunlight and mark
he silence. And it seems to me that / can
hear it be still" More than that, know the
'ure soul looks at me through the honest eyes,
r. II. DUDLEY.